Nov 11
29
DIT project team for Google Apps
Dublin Institute of Technology has moved all of its email and calendaring for 22,000 students to Google Apps for Education as part of new commitment to provide the latest technology experience for students. The move to Google Apps has enhanced collaboration and mobility for students, allowing them to engage with each other anytime, anywhere, from any computer or mobile device.
The service has been implemented for new and returning students at the start of the 2011 academic year.
The migration began in September and Baker Security & Networks, a Google Enterprise partner, provided assistance in reviewing DIT’s approach and advising on various aspects of the project.
DIT Information Services department managed the project and evaluated the different products available for students. Together, DIT students joined faculty representatives in the selection process which helped select the best product for all and eased adoption.
“There were many reasons for choosing Google Apps but for the students the ability to hold onto their current email addresses and passwords was of key concern,”
explains Dearbhla O’Reilly, IT Chief Technology Officer.
“We also wanted to provide our students with the ability to access their documents while outside of college or on the move.”
Ciarán Nevin, President DIT Students Union noted that
“Google Apps will give students the freedom to use their smartphones to access their email and will enhance their day to day interaction with the college. They will also be able to collaborate together on projects and work on the same document at the same time from anywhere.”
One of the added benefits of the implementation of Google Apps is that any future cloud services introduced by DIT can quickly and easily be made accessible to the student body. It is expected that Google Docs will become a key component of the service as it supplements other collaboration and eLearning tools available to students. This is part of a programme of work to improve student experience and increase mobile delivered services.
Some of Ireland’s top educational institutions have moved to Google Apps.
In 2007 Trinity College Dublin transitioned to Google Apps and more recently UCD signed up to Google Apps. In September DCU also announced a deal to provide Chromebooks for Education to students on a small number of selected programmes.
Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) has been an integral part of the Irish Higher Education system for more than a century and currently accounts for over 10% of the Irish undergraduate student population. Its core values are reflected in its mission and emphasize student-centred learning, useful knowledge, rigorous processes of discovery and critical enquiry and support for entrepreneurship and diversity.
